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Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

Dr. Melvin Baker

By:

March 2003

The views expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reect those of the Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

Pre-1949
c. 7000 B.C.
Stone Age Indians (Maritime Archaic Indians) moved into Labrador from the south shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and by 3000 B.C. had moved to the Island of Newfoundland. Based on archaeological evidence, by 1200 B.C. they had disappeared from the Island, but had survived longer in Labrador.

c. 1800 B.C.
Palaeo-eskimos moved into Labrador having crossed to the high Arctic and Greenland from Siberia across the Bering Strait about 2500 B.C.

c. 800 B.C.
Palaeo-eskimos (Groswater Palaeo-eskimos) moved to the Island of Newfoundland.

c. 600 B.C.
Dorset Palaeo-eskimos arrived in Labrador and into Newfoundland about 1.A.D. remaining on the Island until about 800 A.D. when they either moved off the Island or became extinct. By c.1400 A.D. they had left northern Labrador.

c. 1000 A.D.
Viking settlement established at LAnse aux Meadows; abandoned within a decade of its establishment.

c. 1000 A.D.
Historical and archeological evidence indicates that the Bethouks were already living in Newfoundland at the time that Viking explorers arrived. The Beothuks are considered the aboriginal people of the Island of Newfoundland and were Algonkian-speaking hunter-gatherers. They numbered less than a thousand people at the time of European contact in the 15th century.

c. 13th century
Thule Eskimos (Inuit) moved into Labrador from Greenland.

1497
English explorer, Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot) claimed Newfoundland for England, but the Island remained for over a century as a base for the international European shery on the Grand Banks.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

c. 16th century
Historical evidence suggests that the Mikmaq were living in Newfoundland by the 16th century. Historical and archaeological suggests that the Innu were visiting coastal Labrador from the Quebec-Labrador interior by the 16th century.

1530-1600
Basques whalers from Spain and France established shore-based stations in southern Labrador at Red Bay for the hunting of whales.

1583
Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed Newfoundland for the English crown. The Island continued to be used by Portuguese, French, Basque and English shers on the Grand Banks.

1610
John Guy established the rst sponsored colony in Newfoundland at Cupids by the London and Bristol Company of England.

1621
Lord Baltimore (Sir George Calvert) established a sponsored colony at Ferryland.

1634
The Western Charter stated that the rst shing captain of a vessel in Newfoundland would be the admiral for the season with responsibility for deciding disputes among themselves and protecting their ships. The shing admiral for that year had the right to choose the best shing port to use that year.

c. 1660s
English sponsored colonies abandoned in Newfoundland. Future population growth based on shers from England and Ireland remaining to work in a resident shery.

1662
France established a colony at Plaisance (Placentia). Plaisance served as a base for the French shing eet, kept an eye on English activity on the Avalon Peninsula and protected French shipping and shing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

1696-97
A French military force led by Pierre Le Moyne dIberville from Plaisance captured St. Johns and other English settlements on the Avalon Peninsula during the winter of 1696-1697.

1699
King William III Act acknowledged the ownership of existing property in Newfoundland and gave permission for settlements to exist in Newfoundland as long as residents did not interfere with the English migratory shery.

1713
Under the Treaty of Utrecht, France gave up all claims to Newfoundland but retained shing rights along the coast from Cape Bonavista north to Point Riche.

1729
Henry Osborn appointed as Newfoundlands rst naval governor.

1752
Moravian missionaries arrived in Labrador to minister to the Inuit.

1763
Following the Seven Years War, France maintained shing rights in Newfoundland and in the territory of St. Pierre and Miquelon off the south coast of Newfoundland.

1766
Laurence Coughlan arrived in Newfoundland as a preacher for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Coughlan was responsible for the introduction of Methodism in Newfoundland.

1771
Moravian missionaries established the community of Nain in northern Labrador.

1774
Under the Quebec Act, Quebec was given jurisdiction of Labrador.

1783
Under the Treaty of Versailles, France received revised shing rights in Newfoundland from Cape John to Cape Ray, the French Shore.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

1784
England granted religious freedom to Roman Catholics in Newfoundland.

1788
The rst smallpox vaccinations were given in North America at Trinity.

1791
The rst Supreme Court in Newfoundland was established.

1806
Protestant and Catholic Irish residents established the Benevolent Irish Society at St. Johns.

1807
The Royal Gazette was the rst newspaper published in Newfoundland.

1809
Labrador was restored to Newfoundland, having been given to Quebec in 1774 under the Quebec Act.

1815
During the period of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars in Europe from 1793 to 1815, Newfoundlands population increased from 11,382 persons in 1797 to a total of 40,568 in 1815.

1822
William Cormack walked across Newfoundland in search of the Beothuk Indians.

1824
Newfoundland recognized as an ofcial British colony by Imperial legislation.

1829
The last surviving member of the Beothuks, Shanawdithit, died at St. Johns.

1832
Newfoundland received Representative Government consisting of an appointed Legislative Council and an elected House of Assembly.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

1833
The House of Assembly met for the rst time.

1834
The Newfoundland Law Society is formed.

1836
The legislature passed the rst Education Act.

1840
J.B. Jukes completed the rst geological survey of Newfoundland.

1842
The Newfoundland constitution was suspended and an amalgamated legislature established which remained in place until 1848 when the former constitution was restored.

1846
A re destroyed much of St. Johns. About 2,000 buildings were burnt and about 12,000 people, or 57 per cent of the towns total population, were left homeless.

1850
The construction of the Colonial Building completed and the building opened for the rst time.

1855
Responsible Government established consisting of a bicameral legislature: an elected House of Assembly and an appointed Legislative Council.

1864
Newfoundland sent two observers, Ambrose Shea and Frederick Carter, to the Quebec Conference to discuss the Confederation of the British North American colonies. Four colonies formed Canada in 1867.

1865
Denominational proportional representation in the formation of an Executive Council and appointments to the civil service adopted following sectarian strife in1861.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

1866
Atlantic telegraph cable laid between Hearts Content and Cork, Ireland.

1869
The issue of Confederation with Canada defeated in a general election.

1871
The Newfoundland Constabulary established following the withdrawal of the British garrison earlier in the year.

c.1870s
Captain William Whiteley invented the cod trap.

1875
Betts Cove copper mines opened.

1878
First telephone system operated in St. Johns. Moose introduced into Newfoundland.

1880
Newfoundland legislature enacted legislation to construct a trans-island railway. Construction commenced in 1881 and ended in 1897.

1882
The poet Edwin J. Pratt was born at Western Bay, Conception Bay. Pratt became one of Canadas most accomplished poets of the 20th century.

1884
The dry dock opened at St. Johns.

1885
Electricity introduced into St. Johns. Gale on the Labrador coast resulted in the loss of 80 schooners and 300 lives.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

1886
Bait Act passed restricting the sale of bait to foreign shers. Britain refused to sanction the Act because of Canadian opposition. In 1887 Britain assented to the legislation. Newfoundland suspended the Act in 1893 because of enforcement difculties.

1887
The legislature passed the Ballot Act providing for voting by a secret ballot instead of the public oral method in use since 1832.

1888
Municipal government established in St. Johns.

1891
Newfoundlands efforts by Colonial Secretary Robert Bond to negotiate a reciprocity agreement with the United States were denied by the British Government because of protestations from Canada. Newfoundland Teachers Association formed.

1892
Fire destroyed the eastern half of St. Johns with property loss estimated at $13,000,000. Dr. Wilfred Grenfell arrived in Newfoundland to provide medical and missionary work to shers in Labrador. He would remain to do so for nearly 50 years.

1894
Newfoundlands two commercial banks went bankrupt and were replaced beginning in 1895 with branches of major Canadian banks, effectively making Newfoundlands scal policies subject to Canadian monetary policies.

1895
Iron ore mines opened at Bell Island. Talks between Canada and Newfoundland on Confederation failed.

1898
Controversial railway contract signed between Canadian railway contractor Robert Reid and the Newfoundland government. Greenland sealing disaster had 48 crew members stranded on the ice where they died of exposure.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

1900
Robert Bond became Prime Minister and served until 1909. He is regarded as one of Newfoundlands most accomplished politicians. Cabot Tower opened at St. Johns serving as a 24-hour signal station and weather observatory. It was constructed to celebrate Queen Victorias Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

1901
Newfoundlands population was approximately 220,000 (4,000 of them in Labrador) living in 1,200 communities. The Newfoundland Quarterly magazine established and was in existence in 2003. Guglielmo Marconi sent the rst wireless radio signal, from Signal Hill in St. Johns to Cornwall, England. The Ode to Newfoundland was written by Governor Sir Cavendish Boyle and adopted as the national anthem of Newfoundland.

1902
Prime Minister Robert Bond reached a reciprocity agreement with the United States but the agreement was cancelled in 1905 because of opposition in the American Senate.

1904
France agreed to give up its shing rights on the French Shore in return for overseas territorial concessions from Britain in Africa.

1908
William Ford Coaker formed the Fishermens Protective Union.

1909
The pulp and paper mill opened at Grand Falls. The Board of Trade established at St. Johns.

1910
Hague Tribunal resolved several shing disputes between Newfoundland and the United States dating back to shing rights granted the Americans under the Treaty of Paris of 1783 and the Anglo-American Convention of 1818. One of its rulings dened the Newfoundland marine territorial limit of three marine miles.

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

1914
Newfoundland sealing disaster resulted in the loss of 78 men who died from exposure or drowning after having failed to get back to their ship from the ice. Bowring Park opened at St. Johns. Newfoundland declared war in support of Great Britain and formed the Patriotic Association to manage its contributions to the British war effort.

1916
On July 1 the Newfoundland Regiment of 790 members (ofcers and men) experienced 710 casualties at Beaumont Hamel on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. Two hundred and seventy-two were killed and another 438 were wounded from the Regiment on this day.

1917
Daylight Savings Time instituted.

1918
The passenger vessel Florizel owned by Bowring Brothers was lost off Cappahayden with 94 people drowned out of a total of 138 aboard the vessel. Great War Veterans Association established. Spanish Inuenza in late 1918 and 1919 ravaged western Europe and North America. In St. Johns there were 62 deaths from the disease and 407 deaths in Labrador where it was especially devastating in Inuit communities in northern Labrador.

1919
John Alcock and Arthur Brown made the rst successful ight across the Atlantic Ocean from St. Johns to County Galway, Ireland.

1920
Minister of Marine and Fisheries William Coaker issued regulations governing the export of sh. Opposition to the Coaker Regulations from prominent St. Johns merchants led to the government repealing the legislation the following year.

1921
Rotary Club established at St. Johns. Child Welfare Association formed at St. Johns.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

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1923
The Newfoundland government acquired the railway and coastal boat services and the St. Johns dry dock from the Reid Newfoundland Company.

1924
Field Marshall Lord Haig visited Newfoundland to ofciate at the opening of the National War Memorial in St. Johns. Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association established.

1925
The legislature passed legislation giving the vote to women. Memorial University College opened. Newfoundland Methodists joined the United Church of Canada. Pulp and paper mill opened at Corner Brook. Newfoundland Hotel opened at St. Johns.

1926
Following a meeting of an Imperial Conference in 1926, the Balfour Report declared that certain British Dominions, including Newfoundland, were equal autonomous communities within the British Empire.

1927
British Privy Council conrmed Newfoundlands legal ownership of Labrador against a claim from Canada on behalf of the province of Quebec.

1928
Copper, lead and zinc mine at Buchans commenced production. Newfoundland Coat of Arms adopted.

1929
The rst woman, Lady Helena Squires, elected to the House of Assembly. On November 18, 1929 a tidal wave struck the Burin Peninsula area. The tragedy resulted in 27 deaths, property loss amounting to over $1,000,000, and a total of 40 communities and 10,000 people affected.

1931
Viking carrying American lm producer Varick Frissell and crew exploded while at the ice off Horse Islands. Twenty-four men were killed.

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

A British law, the Statute of Westminister, granted the British Dominions, including Newfoundland, full legal freedom in all areas of constitutional jurisdiction that they wished to have. Newfoundland legislature approved a national ag the Red Ensign for the Dominion of Newfoundland. In 1934 the Commission of Government reinstituted the Union Jack as Newfoundlands national ag.

1932
The last election held under the Responsible Government System was on June 11. The United Newfoundland Party under its leader Frederick Alderdice won 24 of the 27 seats.

1933
Unable to fulll its nancial obligations on its national debt that was primarily held in Britain and Canada, the Newfoundland Government agreed to the appointment by Britain of a Royal Commission to examine the future of Newfoundland and in particular on the nancial situation and the prospects therein. Chaired by Lord Amulree, the Royal Commission recommended that the Newfoundland Constitution be suspended and that Newfoundland be administered by a British-appointed commission until it was self-supporting again.

1934
Commission of Government established.

1935
Cottage hospital system established. Newfoundland Fisheries Board established with Raymond Gushue appointed as chair.

1937
The Newfoundland Federation of Labour held its founding meeting at Grand Falls.

1939
Construction of Gander airport completed and airport opened. Because of its constitutional status, Newfoundland became automatically a participant once Britain declared war on September 3, 1939. Newfoundland supplied two artillery regiments to British units and an Overseas Forestry Unit which worked in Scotland. Newfoundlands true importance to the Allied war effort lay in its strategic location as a defence base in the North Atlantic for North America with both Canada and the United States establishing major bases in Newfoundland and Labrador.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

13

1941
American troop ship Edmund B. Alexander arrived in St. Johns under the Leased Bases Agreement of 1941 under which the United States received permission to establish military bases in Newfoundland for a tenure of 99 years. Argentia naval station and an army base opened at Argentia. Other major American military bases were established at St. Johns and Stephenville. A Canadian military plane carrying Dr. Frederick Banting, the discoverer of insulin, crashed near Musgrave Harbour killing Banting.

1942
American naval ships Truxton and Pollux lost off St. Lawrence with 189 ofcers and men lost. The Newfoundland ferry boat, Caribou, carrying 238 passengers (including military personnel) and crew from North Sydney to Port aux Basques, was attacked and sunk by German submarine U-69. One hundred and one people survived the attack; 31 of the ships crew of 36 were lost. Fire in the Knights of Columbus hostel on December 12 killed 100 people and another 107 people more were injured.

1944
Newfoundland Government reached an agreement with Canada to lease Goose Bay airport to Canada for 99 years.

1945
Newfoundland Associated Fish Exporters Limited (NAFEL) established.

1946
National Convention of 45 delegates elected on June 21. The Convention met on September 11, 1946 and dissolved on January 30, 1948.

1948
The rst referendum held on June 3 had three options on the ballot: Responsible Government, Commission of Government, and Confederation with Canada. The Commission of Government option received the lowest number of votes and was dropped from the ballot for a second referendum held on July 22. On this occasion, a majority of voters favoured Confederation with Canada. Terms of Union signed on December 11, 1948.

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

Post-1949
1949
The rst government of the Province sworn in with Joseph R. Smallwood as Premier on April 1. The rst provincial election was held on May 27 and was won by the Liberal Party led by Premier Joseph Smallwood.

1951
The provincial government established the Arts and Letters Competition to recognize awards for historical essays on Newfoundland for poetry, the short story, portraiture, landscape painting, radio scripts and drama.

1953
The provincial government encouraged the establishment of a private investor company, Brinco, and gave it extensive mineral and water rights in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the Churchill River in Labrador and the Bay dEspoir area on the Island.

1954
Legislation enacted establishing the Newfoundland Power Commission. Alfred Valdmanis, former Director-General of Economic Development, convicted of defrauding the government and sentenced to four years in prison. Launched in 1954 and lasting until 1965, the provinces rst resettlement program saw approximately 110 communities resettled involving some 8,000 people.

1955
CJON televison opened at St. Johns by Geoff Stirling.

1957
Unemployment Insurance benets extended to shers through the efforts of Newfoundlands representative in the federal cabinet, Jack Pickersgill. Blanche Drover elected as mayor of Clarenville and became Newfoundlands rst female municipal councillor and mayor. She polled the highest number of voters cast among the candidates. The federal government appointed John McNair to chair a Royal Commission of Inquiry to examine the nancial status of the Province as required under Term 29 of the Terms of Union.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

15

The provincial Royal Commission on Term 29 recommended that the Province receive an annual payment of $15 million under Term 29.

1958
The federal Royal Commission on Newfoundland Finances recommended that Newfoundland receive an annual payment of $8 million under Term 29. The provincial government was disappointed and launched a national publicity campaign against the Progressive Conservative government of Prime Minister John Diefenbaker to make Canadians aware of the political injustice of the decision of the federal government. Although the Diefenbaker government did not change its position, Premier Smallwoods publicity campaign helped to weaken political support nationally for Prime Minister Diefenbaker.

1959
The International Woodworkers Association (IWA) began a loggers strike on December 31against the Anglo Newfoundland Development Company, owners of the pulp and paper mill at Grand Falls. In March 1959 the provincial government decertied the union. The provincial government moved the Inuit living in Hebron to Nain, Hopedale and Makkovik in an attempt to provide better public services to the residents of the community.

1960
The Newfoundland legislature met for the rst time in the newly constructed Confederation Building. The Colonial Building was converted into a repository for the provincial Archives.

1961
The Elizabeth Avenue campus of Memorial University opened at St. Johns. Golden Eagle oil renery at Holyrood opened and owned by American nancier John Shaheen. Major forest res destroyed considerable timberland in Bonavista North.

1962
Iron Ore Company of Canada commenced mining operations at Labrador City.

1964
College of Fisheries, Navigation, Marine Engineering and Electronics opened at St. Johns in the former building that housed Memorial University. Asbestos mine opened at Baie Verte.

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

1965
Wabush Mines Ltd. commenced iron mining operations at Wabush. The paving of the Trans Canada Highway across the island of Newfoundland was completed on November 27. The Province offered free tuition to Memorial University students; in 1969 this student assistance program was changed to a needs assessment basis. The federal and provincial governments initiated a new resettlement program specically designed to move people to larger towns designated as growth centres. One hundred and sixteen communities were resettled between 1965 and 1970, consisting of 3,242 families or over 16,000 individuals. A provincial Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the economic state and prospects of Newfoundland and Labrador.

1966
Come Home Year celebrated . The St. Johns Arts Council established. The Bell Island iron ore mines closed. American air base at Stephenville closed. Brinco and Hydro Quebec signed a letter of intent to develop the Churchill Falls hydroelectric site.

1967
The Bay dEspoir hydro-electric development commissioned. Shipyard opened at Marystown. The Royal Commission on Education and Youth made its report public. Chaired by Dr. Philip Warren, the Commission recommended wide-ranging changes to the educational system. An Arts and Culture Centre opened at St. Johns. Other centres were subsequently established in several large communities in the province.

1968
John Crosbie and Clyde Wells resigned from the cabinet of the Smallwood Liberal government and sat as Independent Liberals over a disagreement with Premier Smallwood over his handling of economic and industrial development projects. A phosphorous plant opened at Long Harbour, Placentia Bay. LAnse aux Meadows Viking site declared a National Historic site. Royal Commission on Economic Prospects recommended the need for more costbenet studies for new industries and emphasized more careful planning of scal resources.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

17

1969
Power contract signed between CFLCo and Hydro Quebec for the Churchill Falls hydro-electric development. Former Liberal cabinet minister John Crosbie unsuccessfully challenged Premier Joseph R. Smallwood for the leadership of the Liberal Party in a leadership convention. Medicare instituted in Newfoundland as part of a federal Medical Health Plan. The passenger rail service provided by Canadian National Railways across Newfoundland was closed down and replaced by the Roadcruiser bus service.

1970
The New Labrador Party formed by independent MHA Tom Burgess. Richard Cashin and Father Desmond McGrath founded the Northern Fishermens Union in April and re-organized it in September as the Newfoundland Fishermen, Food and Allied Workers Union. Percy Janes novel House of Hate published, considered to be the provinces best novel. Federal legislation passed establishing the Canadian Saltsh Corporation. Aidan Maloney was appointed as the rst Chair of the Corporation.

1971
The rst teachers strike in Newfoundland took place. The Newfoundland government established the Newfoundland Human Rights Commission and appointed Gertrude Keough as its rst commissioner. Legislation setting up the Commission was passed in 1969.

1972
Joseph Roberts Smallwood resigned as Premier and replaced by Progressive Conservative Leader Frank Duff Moores who won a general election later in the year. Finance Minister John Crosbie informed the Newfoundland Legislature that the 1969 Power Contract between CFLCo and Hydro Quebec was a bad nancial deal for the Province because of inequities in the Federal Equalization Program. The Churchill Falls hydro-electric power development was commissioned. New Labrador Party candidate Mike Martin was elected to the House of Assembly in a by-election. Mummers theatrical troupe formed.

1973
Come by Chance oil renery opened. Codco theatrical group made its initial performance in Newfoundland.

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

Women selected for the rst time for jury duty. First class of medical doctors graduated from Memorial University. The Province nationalized the linerboard mill at Stephenville.

1974
Former Liberal Premier Joseph Smallwood formed the Liberal Reform Party and elected four members in the 1975 general election. Dorothy Wyatt elected the rst female mayor of St. Johns. The Newfoundland government acquired on June 27 Brincos interest in CFLCo for $160 million.

1975
West coast campus of Memorial University opened at Corner Brook. Ambrose Peddle appointed Newfoundlands rst ombudsman. The Progressive Conservative government of Premier Frank Moores re-elected in a general election.

1976
The Come by Chance oil renery closed, becoming the largest bankruptcy at the time in Canada. John Crosbie resigned from provincial politics and entered federal politics by successfully winning a by-election in St. Johns West.

1977
Canada Summer Games held in St. Johns. Canada extended its east coast sheries custodial jurisdiction by 200 miles. Major anti-sealing protest in Newfoundland centered at St. Anthony where French actress Brigitte Bardot is among the protestors Fluorspar mine closed at St. Lawrence.

1978
LAnse aux Meadows Viking site declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

1979
The Newfoundland legislature passed the Matrimonial Property Act which recognized an equal division of property upon separation or divorce of a husband and wife effective July 1, 1980. The Hon. Frank Moores resigned as Premier and Brian Peckford won a subsequent leadership convention. He became the third Premier of the Province and the second

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

19

Progressive Conservative Premier. He won a general election on June 18 defeating the Liberal Party led by former federal cabinet minister Don Jamieson. Oil was discovered offshore on the Grand Banks at the Hibernia site. The rst women were appointed to the provincial cabinet, Hazel Newhook and Lynn Verge. The 16th century whaling archaeological site at Red Bay, Labrador declared a National Historic Site. Stephenville Theatre Festival opened its rst season. Rising Tide theatrical troupe organized. The Hon. John Crosbie was appointed Federal Finance Minister, the rst Newfoundlander to hold the position.

1980
The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council was established with responsibility for funding the visual, performing and literary arts and folk arts and crafts in the province. The Peckford government issued Managing All Our Resources, a blueprint for economic development stressing greater provincial control and jurisdiction over resource development. On April 12, 1980 Terry Fox of British Columbia left St. Johns on a cross-country walk to raise money for cancer. Fox, who had lost a leg to cancer, made the Marathon of Hope trip as far as Thunder Bay, Ontario. A new provincial ag, designed by artist Christopher Pratt, was adopted by the Newfoundland legislature replacing the Union Jack. The Economic Council of Canada released Newfoundland: From Dependency to SelfReliance, a report prepared at the request of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on the provincial economy.

1981
Premier Brian Peckford took a strident provincial rights position at the federalprovincial Conference on the Constitution while supporting Ottawas constitutional proposals for repatriation of the BNA Act. Premier Peckford played a prominent role in helping the provinces except Quebec to reach a consensus on the specic language that culminated in the agreement.

1982
Strong disagreements between the federal and provincial governments over ownership of offshore mineral resources affected relationships between the two governments. Premier Peckford won a general election on April 6 on an anti-Ottawa stand on resource management issues, especially the issue of the offshore.

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

The Dictionary of Newfoundland English was published. It was edited by Drs. G.M. Story, W.J. Kirwin and J.D. Widdowson. The oil drilling rig Ocean Ranger sank February 15, 1982 from a severe storm the previous night which hit the area capsizing the rig and killing all 84 members of its crew. Of the 69 Canadian crew members, 56 were Newfoundlanders, a fact that struck local society very hard.

1983
Margaret Cameron was appointed Newfoundlands rst female Supreme Court Justice.

1984
The Mikmaq of Conne River received recognition as status Indians by the federal government and in 1987 received a reserve of three square kilometers of land. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the federal government, and not Newfoundland, had ownership jurisdiction over offshore mineral resources. Pope John Paul II made an ofcial visit to Newfoundland, the rst papal visit to the province. Fishery Products International was formed out of the bankruptcy of several large sh companies that had operated in the province. The Hon. John Crosbie was appointed Minister of Justice in the federal government of Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Provinces Water Reversion Act was unconstitutional of Newfoundlands legislative powers.

1985
The Atlantic Accord was signed on February 11 between the federal government and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the management and development of offshore oil and gas resources. The Accord included a $300 million Offshore Development Fund to be expended over ve years to provide infrastructure for offshore activity. An Arrow Airlines airliner crashed at Gander killing 248 American servicemen and eight crew members. The Rising Tide theatrical troupe performed the rst of its annual Revue programs. Buchans copper and zinc mines closed. Premier Peckford and federal Minister of Justice John Crosbie announced that Mobil Oil would use xed concrete platforms for drilling at the Hibernia oil site. Premier Peckford won the April 2 general election.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

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1986
Ethel Cochrane was appointed Newfoundlands rst female Senator. The Report of the Royal Commission on Employment and Unemployment was released. Dr. Doug House was Chair of the Commission appointed in 1985. Provincial civil servants in the transportation, public works and general service sectors held a general strike in March and early April.

1987
Gros Morne National Park declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. The Newfoundland legislature passed legislation privatizing Fisheries Products International. The Peckford government agreed to enter to a joint venture with Alberta nancial interests in enviroponics to develop a hydroponic greenhouse ( the Sprung Greenhouse Cucumber Project) in Mount Pearl.

1988
An announcement was made by the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador on June 30 for an agreement to close the railway in the province as part of an agreement whereby Ottawa gave $800 million for road improvements. The Newfoundland and federal governments signed on July 18 a Statement of Principles with four oil companies for the development of the Hibernia oil eld. The Newfoundland legislature ratied the Meech Lake Accord on July 7. Premier Peckford publicly endorsed the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement.

1989
The Peckford government abandoned the Sprung Greenhouse Cucumber Project. The phosphorous plant closed at Long Harbour. Hon. Brian Peckford resigned as Premier and was replaced by the Hon. Tom Rideout who was defeated in a general election on April 20 by Liberal leader Clyde Wells. The Wells Liberal government established the Economic Recovery Commission with Dr. Doug House appointed as Chair.

1990
Mount Cashel Orphanage in St. Johns closed following a series of sex abuse charges of children by priests. A report of a special commission of inquiry chaired by Gordon Winter found that the Roman Catholic Church had provided inadequate leadership in dealing with alleged sexual abuse charges at Mount Cashel. The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and four oil companies signed an agreement to develop the Hibernia oil eld.

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

Report released of the Independent Review of the State of the Northern Cod Stock prepared for federal Minister of Fisheries, the Hon. Thomas Siddon. The Chair of the independent panel was Dr. Leslie Harris. The Newfoundland legislature on April 6 voted to rescind its 1988 approval for the Meech Lake Accord. Premier Wells received national attention for his strong opposition to the Accord.

1991
The provincial government implemented strong economic and restraint measures in public expenditures.

1992
The federal government announced a moratorium on northern cod stocks and a scal compensation package for shers and sh plant workers. The Wells government supported the Charlottetown Accord for constitutional change. The Accord was defeated in a national referendum held on October 26, although 62.9 per cent of Newfoundlanders voted in its favor. The Royal Commission on Education recommended that the provinces denominational school system be dismantled. An international tribunal established on June 10 a maritime boundary favorable to Canada in a boundary dispute between Canada and France off the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon.

1993
Children from Davis Inlet were the subject of international attention following press accounts that they were snifng gas. The Rising Tide theatrical troupe gave its rst performance of its annual Trinity in the Bight Festival. The Wells government won re-election in a general election held on May 3.

1994
Ottawa closed the recreational food shery. American naval base at Argentia closed. Volume 5 of the Encylopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador published. This was the nal volume of a project conceived by former Premier Joseph Smallwood who published Volume 1 in 1981 and Volume 2 in 1984. Following the bankruptcy of Smallwoods publishing company in 1987, the J.R. Smallwood Heritage Foundation was established to raise funds to complete the project. Strong public opposition forced the provincial government to abandon its plans to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

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The provincial government sold the crown corporation Newfoundland and Labrador Computer Services Ltd. to Newtel Enterprises.

1995
Newfoundland prospectors Albert Chislett and Chris Verbiski discovered nickel deposits at Vosieys Bay. Canadian patrol ships captured a Spanish shing vessel outside the 200-mile limit and charged its owners with illegal shing of undersized turbot.

1996
Hon. Clyde Wells resigned as Premier and was replaced by Brian Tobin who had resigned from the cabinet of Liberal Prime Minister John Chretien and won the leadership of the provincial Liberal Party by acclamation on January 17. Tobin was sworn in as Premier on January 28 and won a general election on February 22. International nickel company (Inco) acquired ownership of the Vosieys Bay nickel development in Labrador. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador reached an agreement with several oil companies to develop the Terra Nova oil eld.

1997
The Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Agency established. Queen Elizabeth II visited the province as part of the 500th anniversary events of the celebration of John Cabots discovery of Newfoundland in 1497. A public referendum on the provinces denominational system of education found that a majority of voters favoured its abolition. Term 17 of the Terms of Union was amended in 1998. Hibernia oil eld produced its rst oil.

1998
The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and of Quebec signed an agreement concerning the recall of power by Newfoundland and Labrador of power from the Churchill Falls hydro-electric development for sale outside the province.

1999
The government of Premier Tobin won re-election.

2000
Premier Tobin announced the Province would undertake the construction in St. Johns of a $40-million complex (to be known as The Rooms) to house the Art Gallery, the Provincial Archives and the Newfoundland Museum.

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

In October Brian Tobin resigned as Premier and was appointed federal Minister of Industry. He won election to the House of Commons in the November 27 federal election. The Hon. Beaton Tulk was sworn in as Premier on October 16, 2002 and served until the Liberal Party chose a new leader at a leadership convention.

2001
The Hon. Roger Grimes won the leadership of the Liberal Party and was sworn in as Premier on February 13. Term 1 of the Terms of Union amended to change the name of the province from Newfoundland to Newfoundland and Labrador. Mens junior curling team captained by Brad Gushue won the world title, giving the province its rst ofcial world championship in a team sport. On June 25 the Inuit of Labrador as represented by Labrador Inuit Association, and the Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and of Canada signed the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement-in-Principle.

2002
Newfoundland won an offshore boundary arbitration dispute with Nova Scotia. Inco signed an agreement with the Province for the development of the Voiseys Bay nickel deposits. The provincial government appointed the Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada. The Innu of Davis Inlet began moving in December to a new community erected by the federal government at nearby Natuashish. The move was because of inadequate public and social services in Davis Inlet. The provinces third offshore oil development project, White Rose, received regulatory approval from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador following approval of the project from the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

Bibliography
Canadian Annual Review, 1961-1994. Major, Kevin. As Near to Heaven by Sea. A History of Newfoundland & Labrador. Toronto: Penquin 2001. Neary, Peter. Party Politics in Newfoundland, 1949-1971: A Survey and Analysis, in James Hiller and Peter Neary, eds., Newfoundland in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: essays in interpretation. Toronto: University of Toronto Press 1980, pp. 205-245. OFlaherty, Patrick. Old Newfoundland: A History to 1843. St. Johns: Long Beach Press 1999. Prowse, D.H. A History of Newfoundland. London: Macmillan 1895, Mika reprint 1972. Smallwood, J.R. I Chose Canada: The Memoirs of the Honourable Joseph R. Joey Smallwood. Toronto: Macmillan 1973. Wright, Miriam. A Fishery for Modern Times: The State and the Industrialization of the Newfoundland Fishery, 1934-1968. Don Mills, Ontario, Oxford University Press, 2001.

History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

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History of Newfoundland and Labrador Summary Chronology of Events

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